1980s Emmanuelle Khanh Frames | Archive 0126

The Emmanuelle Khanh 8080 captures the bold, expressive character of 1980s French eyewear design. Its oversized square silhouette features softly rounded lower corners, a broad upper line, and subtly raised outer edges, creating a distinctive profile with a gentle cat-eye influence. The translucent mauve-lavender acetate adds a muted pastel quality, with tonal variations that give the polished frame depth and character.

Frame Model: 8080 (181)
Decade: 1980s
Country of Origin: France
Lenses: Empty, ready for custom lenses
Condition: Excellent vintage
Measurements: Unknown

Historical Context
Founded in Paris in 1969, Emmanuelle Khanh emerged as part of the French ready-to-wear movement, bringing youthful, accessible design beyond the traditional world of haute couture. The house introduced its first eyewear collection in 1971, working with Henri Guillet and optical workshops in Oyonnax to create bold frames with oversized proportions and strong, graphic lines.

Khanh’s own need for prescription glasses helped inspire her approach to eyewear, which she treated as a fashion accessory rather than simply a functional object. Her frames became known for large acetate silhouettes, vivid colours, sculptural forms, and decorative details, reflecting the experimental spirit of French fashion in the late 1960s and 1970s. The brand’s early eyewear was made in France, establishing a long-standing connection with the traditional craftsmanship of the Oyonnax eyewear region.